Five volunteers to advise on parking garage at Stamford Transportation Center

Staff Report

Published 7:48 am, Friday, October 12, 2012

The state Department of Transportation has selected five volunteers from the Stamford area to help develop a plan for the redevelopment of the Stamford Transportation Center's parking garage.

In announcing the appointments, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said the volunteers will to work with DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker in evaluating proposals for the redevelopment of the parking garage and providing guidance in ensuring that the redevelopment best reflects local priorities and the needs of the community.

“As a former mayor of the city, I understand that Stamford is uniquely positioned, and that both residents and businesses alike highly depend on the region’s transportation system for their every day needs,” Malloy said in a statement. “Whatever decision is made by the commissioner on the redevelopment of the Stamford Transportation Center parking garage site, it needs to reflect both the state’s long term transportation goals as well as the city’s and commuting public’s priorities. In addition to the suggestions and comments that we are inviting the general public to submit, these five stakeholders will ensure that local voices are heard while these important decisions are being made.”

Added Redecker: “As we embark on this significant transportation development project, I look forward to input and guidance from all parties. This input will be an integral part of the vetting and decision-making process, so that we deliver a first-class transportation center for the thousands of commuters who travel to and from Stamford every day.”

The volunteers were recommended to the commissioner by the governor based on their own experiences as commuters and their expertise as leaders in the region. The five volunteers are:

• Laure Aubuchon, director of Stamford’s Office of Economic Development under Mayor Michael Pavia. Aubuchon is responsible for working closely with Stamford’s business community in its effort to retain its corporate base and attract new businesses to the city.

• Curtis Battles, founder of the real estate advising firm New Canaan Advisors, LLC. Battles had long-term leadership roles on the teams that redeveloped two of New York City’s highest visibility real estate icons — Grand Central Terminal and the World Trade Center. In the course of his career, Battles was a regular Metro-North commuter for approximately 20 years.

• David Hendricks, co-founder, COO and CFO of LiveIntent, a venture-funded start-up. Hendricks is a regular Metro-North commuter from Stamford. He also serves as a member of the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council, an organization that acts as an advocate regarding commuter issues.

• Joseph McGee, vice president of public policy and programs for the Business Council of Fairfield County. McGee has worked extensively with the business community, civic organizations and government officials in the areas of economic development, transportation, housing, energy conservation, environment, and tax and fiscal policy. Previously, he served as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic Development, Chairman of the Connecticut Development Authority and Chairman of Connecticut Innovations.

• Randall Skigen, resident of the Stamford Board of Representatives and Deputy Mayor.

In addition to the five volunteers, Redeker is also soliciting input from members of the general public who have opinions or want to provide suggestions on the project. Those comments should be emailed to DOT.StamfordTOD@ct.gov.